Weddings. There are millions of them. And each has its own story.

For the many years I have been writing for newspapers I have described my fair share of weddings in print. By its very nature, this won't be like any of those.

Perhaps only the mother of the groom would notice the kiss at the conclusion of the vows seemed to last forever ... which I loved. I didn't cry, but I was speechless

I had watched my son, Drew, walk across scattered rose petals on the sandy beach at Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, then turn to await his bride.

He looked so confident, this child of mine, standing there in his off-white linen suit and open-collared white shirt, but mostly he just looked happy. He had eyes only for another woman. Her name is Maggie.

Where did my little boy go? Was it time to lapse into a lyric from the song in "Mame," in which she asks that question as she sees her nephew Patrick all grown up?

My son has literally grown up in my writings the past 36 years. Now he has found the love of his life. Can a mother ask for more?

Anyone who sees a child married can identify with what my heart is saying. It is not unique. We travel back in time -- years -- in a matter of minutes.

It was a destination wedding, a new term for me. They wanted to celebrate their love in a non-traditional setting with those who have been most important in their lives.

If you didn't feel love in this atmosphere, your heart wasn't pumping.

Such a wedding can take as much time and effort as any traditional wedding. You are dealing with a different language, long-distance communication, airline delays, new-passport confusion and the unforeseen.

At the rehearsal dinner, a guest tripped, resulting in a trip to the hospital with a small foot fracture. The good news: She made it to the wedding the next day, albeit in a wheelchair!

One month ago today, April 7, Drew Harlan Cloud took Margaret Marie Garcia as his bride. Why Cabo? They wanted to be married on a beach, and if it couldn't be Stone Harbor, N.J., Mexico was bueno.

Close friends and family had said, "Tell us where and when, and we'll be there." And indeed, 56 people gathered for swimming, golfing, lounging, eating, tanning and catching up -- all in three days before the exchange of vows.

My son's half-brothers, one with his wife and three children, and his half-sister shared the adventure. I was touched beyond words by their presence.

There were friends from elementary school, high school, college and the workplace. Drew and Maggie both work for the NBA Phoenix Suns.

Wardrobe and the age-old "what to wear" dilemma was solved when Maggie asked everyone to wear white for the wedding.

I chose a white peasant skirt and flutter-sleeve crochet top and already had the silver belt and sandals. Bueno again!

There aren't many weddings where you can wear rubber flip-flops, but this was one of them. In fact such footwear was required for the surprise reception held on a yacht, the Orion.

The bride wore a long, slim ivory silk charmeuse gown she had picked out last summer. That was the dress, she said, as soon as she saw it online from Nordstrom. She never wavered.

When she reached the beach after descending a steep and winding walkway on the arm of her father, she simply removed her high heels. Many guests also carried their shoes.

A Mexican musician softly played the harp.

We were asked to close our eyes and listen to the sounds around us on a glorious sun-drenched afternoon, white surf slapping against the huge rocks in front of us. It was God's infinite church, no roof, minus pews and stained glass, but so spiritual.

A few gulls flew over the blue-green Sea of Cortez highlighted by white foam edges, the white fabric-covered chairs, guests in their cool white attire -- but they seemed respectful and soared quietly to the heavens as if in musical sync with the soft clear voice singing "Ave Maria."

On one of Drew's fingers was the ring I had seen on my late father's hand all my life. Caressing Maggie's middle finger was my late mother's engagement ring. A diamond belonging to her late grandmother sparkled at the hollow of her neck.

Drew and Maggie's one disappointment: they forgot to bring their Terrible Towel, which they have taken along and photographed every step of the way during their four-year courtship, including the night he proposed, last July 7, on Mount Washington.

The wedding was the day before Easter. It marks a new beginning.

And Mother's Day is Sunday. This year I am proud to say I have a son, as always. But now I am also blessed with a daughter.